A man’s best friend

By: Cazandra V. Canoza

Time ticked, the Earth grew, humans evolved but something hasn’t changed—the furry companion, the brave barks, the licks that send you right back home—a man’s best friend.

“A man’s best friend” is a common title given to dogs, praising them for their unwavering loyalty, friendship, and companionship. Research also shows that most adopted pets are dogs, whereas 30 percent of households globally own a dog. 

Centuries passed, but history shows that during the 19th century, dogs were largely functional. They performed duties such as hunting, tracking, watching, protecting, and guarding, and, as stated, dogs were as useful in ancient times as they are today.

With their cute tendencies such as licking a person to grasp their attention or to simply show affection, being affectionate once they feel their owner is down, and being a great companion overall. 

But, not a lot of their tendencies tend to bring joy, some may bring annoyance, irritation, and anger. Common behaviors include ripping apart stuffed animals or pillows, scratching walls and sofas, and barking once the night settles. 

Hart Yu, commonly known as Miss Hart, a content creator in Batangas, received backlash and hate online after he went on a, now deleted, livestream shouting and ordering a man to pick up and kill three dogs after they apparently mauled his expensive slippers. 

The livestream sparked public outrage which then alerted the Animal Kingdom Foundation, a foundation dedicated to animal welfare, protection, and rehabilitation.  They then filed a case against Miss Hart for violating Republic Act No. 8485 or the Animal Welfare Act of 1998 designed to protect and promote the physical and psychological well-being of animals. 

Miss Hart responded to the backlash stating that people who are mad at him over dogs are dumb and immature, actively fueling the fire. Miss Hart has yet to publish a statement of apology.

Yes, Miss Hart had the right to get angry, to get mad, to lash out at his dogs, but why choose violence? Why choose to kill? Why choose the worst option to reprimand? Why choose the cruelest response to a problem? 

In my view, his response was disproportionate to the situation. As someone who has had a dog for over a year now, I emotionally cannot fathom anyone choosing to hurt or kill dogs, especially because of a small problem that could easily be fixed. 

From experience, dogs do get scared once you raise your voice at them, they flinch once you raise your hand, they hide when they know they did something wrong. Dogs aren’t emotionless beings—they experience joy, sadness, excitement, and all those that we humans experience—they just express it differently.

A dog’s actions do not always reflect aggression or deliberate disobedience. Barking, chewing, and scratching may be associated with fear, boredom, stress, or unmet needs. 

Understanding these behaviors is important in determining how to respond appropriately. Rather than immediately viewing an animal as a nuisance, people should consider the circumstances behind its actions and seek solutions that protect both the community and the animal.

Owning a pet comes with responsibilities that extend beyond providing food and shelter. Proper training, regular exercise, supervision, and patience are essential in preventing unwanted behavior. 

When a dog damages property or causes inconvenience, responsible owners should address the problem through humane and appropriate solutions rather than resorting to violence. After all, a pet’s behavior is also influenced by the care and guidance it receives.

Damaged belongings can be repaired or replaced, but the lives of animals cannot be restored once taken. If the dogs had damaged property, the situation could have been addressed through communication with their owners, proper compensation, or assistance from local authorities. 

These alternatives offer a way to resolve the conflict without causing further harm. Choosing a humane response does not mean ignoring the damage; it means addressing it without unnecessary cruelty. 

A man’s best friend should never become a victim of human anger. Dogs may not speak our language, but their actions are often expressions of needs and emotions that deserve understanding.